The Steamships Rugby Union Sevens (7s) commemorated and celebrated its 30th Anniversary by hosting its annual tournament on Saturday, October 5th, 2024, at Santos National Football Stadium in Port Moresby.
More than twenty (20) teams from the Steamships company representing various branches in PNG gathered at the spiritual home of rugby league in the nation’s capital and vied for the Managing Director’s Cup, General Manager’s Trophy, among other categories.
Women’s rugby touch defending champions of the Managing Director’s Cup, the STC Chiefs were outstanding, who won all their games and reached the grand final, defeating the Gateway Sharks to defend their trophy.
The STC Chiefs led the contest in the first half by 1-0 margin and scored another try in the second half to seal the deal with a 2-0 win over the valiant Gateway girls.
Most of the STC Chiefs players have a netball background, but they adjusted well and competed fiercely to impose their presence, walking away with their fourth consecutive MD’s Cup.
Coach Alfred Vaitai was really proud of his team’s courageous effort to not only win the tournament in the women’s rugby touch division, but defend the MD’s Cup for the fourth straight season.
“It was a good accomplishment. When the ladies first started, they didn't know how to pass the ball but when you give them the netball ball, they will show you the netball skills. They grew up playing netball,” Vaitai said.
“I’ve tried my best to drill the styles and tactics of rugby to the girls, and they have improved in the last few years. Eventually, with a little bit of experience, they’ve maintained the team together and won four straight MD’s Cup.”
The STC Chiefs began their championship run in 2019. However, no tournament was hosted in 2020 and 2021 due to the global COVID-19 pandemic. The tourney resumed in 2022 and the Chiefs bagged back-to-back titles (202-2023), and retained it in the 2024 tournament.
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